To allow users to view videos that appear in their feeds or tweets in full-screen mode, Twitter has announced that it would begin deploying a new design for its platform’s video viewing interface. The company is now testing vertical viewing options for videos.
Users will also have the option to vertically scroll when in full-screen mode in order to see more video. Additionally, the company modified the explore tab, placing user-interested tweets under the “Videos for you” section and adding a video carousel feature.
Twitter will gradually roll out the immersive media viewer with vertical scrolling for iOS users that use Twitter in English. The company claims that English-speaking Android and iOS users can now access the video carousel feature on the explore tab. The company makes a point of emphasizing its desire to make Twitter “the premier place for video” in its blog post announcing the development.
The company blog post also included a link to actor Ryan Reynolds’ tweet announcing the release of the teaser for his next movie Deadpool 3, which also stars Hugh Jackman. Twitter states in the blog post that “fun movie trailers” will be a big part of the media viewing experience on Twitter.
The choice was taken at a time when significant social media platforms, including Instagram and YouTube, have altered their business plans to adopt short-video formats and TikTok-like user interfaces for Reels and Shorts. Twitter, however, has chosen to only adopt the UI elements of the video-pushing tactics used by TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
